New initiative launched to support young families
NHS Warwickshire and Warwickshire County Council have launched a new initiative which will provide support to young families right across the county.
The Family Nurse Partnership initiative, which will go live in October, will provide intensive support for parents under the age of 20, from pregnancy through to their child’s second birthday.
Five Warwickshire Community Health nurses have been employed to carry out the scheme which will involve advising young parents on health during pregnancy; supporting them to develop their parenting skills; and offering tips on living a healthy lifestyle.
John Linnane, Joint Director of Public Health for NHS Warwickshire and Warwickshire Community Health, said: “The initiative has had proven results elsewhere in the UK and in America. It has brought health benefits such as improving women’s antenatal health and reducing injuries in children, as well as social benefits such as increasing the involvement of fathers and improving the child’s readiness for school by improving skills such as language development and maths.”
The support from Family Nurses involves regular visits which are structured around improving the health and wellbeing of both parent and child and helping to support the family unit. From October, families will be enrolled into the service during early pregnancy on recommendation of their midwife.
Jane Williams, Deputy Director of Operations, Children Young People and Family Services at Warwickshire Community Health, commented: “The Family Nurses have an important role to play working with young families to support them through what can be an exciting but also daunting time in their lives.
"A child’s early experience has a long-lasting impact on both their physical and emotional development and this new initiative will help young families give their children a good start in life.”
Warwickshire County Councillor Heather Timms, portfolio holder for Children, Young People and Families, added: “I welcome this joint initiative in Warwickshire which will provide valuable support to young vulnerable families who are likely to benefit most from extra help and advice.
“Evaluation reports from other areas of the country show that clients value the programme, they have very high regard for their family nurses, and engagement with fathers was good so we have high hopes for its success in Warwickshire.”